Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3756 Chang Wu
The war drums thundered.

The gates of Yique reopened, and Zhang Lie took the lead, leading several hundred elite troops like tigers released from their cages, charging straight at the flank of Cao Cao's army.

Even though they were outnumbered by Cao Cao's army, under Zhang Lie's command, no one was afraid or panicked. They formed a battle array, like a sharp dagger, and charged straight at Cao Cao's army, instantly carving a bloody path through them.

Cao Jun was doing his best to intercept and annihilate Huang Zhong, but unexpectedly the defending troops inside the pass dared to attack, causing chaos on the flank.

Zhang Lie moved like a mad tiger, his sword flashing, and wherever he went, Cao Cao's soldiers fell to the ground. Leading his men, he fought his way through the encirclement of Cao Cao's army to Huang Zhong's side: "Old General! Retreat with me at once!"

Huang Zhong's battle robe was already stained with blood. When he saw Zhang Lie coming to his rescue, he showed no joy, but was both anxious and angry!
Why are you doing this! You've ruined everything!

But Huang Zhong knew that there was no time for further words, so the two of them joined forces and fought their way back to the pass.

……

……

War drums thundered outside Yique Pass, shaking the heavens and the earth.

Du Ji, from within the pass, spoke with a calmness that surprised even himself: "How many soldiers? How many laborers? How many carts and horses are there within the pass?"

The deputy general of Yique Pass, standing to the side, paused for a moment, then, upon seeing the sharp gaze from Du Ji, suddenly realized what was happening. "Reporting to the military advisor! Within the pass, there are over eight hundred able-bodied soldiers, two hundred and seventy wounded, over eight hundred laborers, fifty warhorses, over one hundred supply wagons, and seventy slow horses..."

"Order that all lightly wounded soldiers who are able to stand and move immediately proceed to the drill ground in the city to await orders!" Du Ji said in a deep voice. "The laborers will immediately transport the seriously wounded soldiers by cart out of the pass! Towards Luoyang!"

Several previously anxious clerks seemed to have found their anchor and hurriedly ran around relaying orders.

Du Ji looked down at the map of Yique Pass in his hand, and for some reason suddenly recalled that in earlier years, before Fei Qian arrived in Hedong, they had also encountered a Xiongnu attack on the border. At that time, the prefect panicked and ordered the entire city to be under martial law. As a result, the garrison and the fleeing civilians crowded the city gates, and more people died from trampling each other than from battle.

"Beat the drums to pacify the army!" Du Ji continued studying the map, strategizing in his mind, while issuing orders, "Prepare to welcome Generals Zhang and Huang into the pass! Prepare the bows and crossbows!"

Although Du Ji was also dissatisfied with Zhang Lie sending Huang Zhong out of the pass for a night raid, Du Ji knew that the most important thing at this moment was not to complain, but to support Zhang Lie and Huang Zhong!
……

……

Seeing Zhang Lie emerge from the pass, Cao Cao, instead of being angry, laughed, "The fish have both fallen into the net, excellent! Order the entire army to cut off their retreat! Squeeze in from both flanks and seize the pass!"

His eyes gleamed with the light of victory, as if he could already see the fall of Yique Pass.

The difference in battlefield experience became apparent at this moment.

Zhang Lie thought this was his "first" night raid on Cao Cao, but Cao Cao had already encountered "dozens" of night raids.

As for those with unparalleled wisdom who know everything from astronomy to geography, they have naturally encountered them 'countless times'...

The sound of war drums was earth-shattering.

Cao's soldiers roared, like wild beasts emerging from the darkness.

Cao's infantry pressed forward like a mountain, closely following.

Huang Zhong and Zhang Lie fought and retreated, each step potentially resulting in the fall of their men and the shedding of blood.

Their battle robes were already soaked in blood, making it impossible to tell whether they belonged to the enemy or themselves.

"It can't be returned!"

Having finally retreated to the front of the pass, Huang Zhong suddenly grabbed Zhang Lie, pointed to the drawbridge ahead, and said, "Block them here at this drawbridge! Otherwise, the city gates won't close!"

Although the old general was seriously injured, his mind remained clear.

Zhang Lie also realized what was happening and immediately shouted, "General, retreat first!"

He wanted Huang Zhong to retreat back into the pass first.

Huang Zhong laughed heartily, his voice weak but still firm: "Since we are comrades, we should advance and retreat together!"

Zhang Lie was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Good! With Zhang Lie here, which traitorous general dares to come and die?!"

Ordinary cavalrymen filed into the city, but Huang Zhong and Zhang Lie, along with their personal guards, blocked the drawbridge at Yique Pass!
They stood like rocks before the surging tide of Cao Cao's soldiers, buying precious time for their comrades.

The defenders on the walls of Yique also used crossbows and arrows as much as possible to cover their positions and block the pursuit of Cao Cao's soldiers.

Arrows rained down, forming a barrier around Huang Zhong, Zhang Lie, and the others, doing their best to protect the 'reef' in front of Yique Pass...

……

……

Du Ji stood on the drill ground, his gaze sweeping over the dense crowd within the gatehouse. He saw many laborers trembling, and many wounded soldiers barely able to stand, leaning on their weapons.

"I am Du Ji, Military Advisor of the General of the Cavalry, temporarily in charge of customs affairs by order of Governor Xun," Du Ji's voice was steady and powerful. "All soldiers, listen to my command! The seriously wounded retreat, the lightly wounded advance! After the lightly wounded are gone, the laborers advance! I and the other generals will stay here to cover the rear! Anyone who disobeys orders or disrupts the army will be executed without mercy!"

Du Ji suddenly raised his voice, "Cao Cao's army is exhausted! As long as we retreat in an orderly manner, we will surely return with our entire army intact!"

A slight commotion arose in the crowd, but it quickly subsided.

Several veteran military officers led the way, shouting: "We'll do as Military Advisor Du commands!"

Retreat, for fear of causing chaos.

Once chaos breaks out, no one will be able to leave.

Despite his outward composure, Du Ji was only now beginning to feel a little at ease.

Du Ji waved his hand, ordering the soldiers and laborers in the drill ground to get to work immediately.

Soon, under the orders of the junior and middle-ranking officers and military academy officers in various departments, the soldiers and civilians in the training ground dispersed, moving in an orderly fashion and leaving one after another.

What defines an elite?
Perhaps different people will have different answers.

Standing on the high platform, Du Ji looked at everything before him and suddenly realized what was happening.

Rather than saying it was a difference between the Flying Cavalry and the old Han army, it was more accurate to say that the Flying Cavalry's introduction of the military agricultural system, merit-based system, and pension system made soldiers and civilians understand that as long as they obeyed orders, they could survive and receive rewards...

The common people may be like scattered sand, but after being tempered, why can't they be transformed into a tower?
……

……

Within Cao Cao's army formation, Cao Cao had already disembarked from the high platform of the warship and was approaching on his warhorse.

His gaze calmly surveyed the battlefield, assessing the situation.

Seeing this, Dian Wei volunteered again, ready to fight two men despite his injury. He quickly bandaged his shoulder wound, his twin halberds already in hand: "This humble general is willing to go! I will surely take their heads!"

Cao Cao shook his head and smiled, not letting Dian Wei use force to charge, but instead ordering someone to push him onto the gunpowder cart.

"Why fight a cornered beast?" Cao Cao, feeling victory was assured, turned to Dian Wei and asked, "How are your injuries?"

Dian Wei feigned nonchalance, saying, "It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about."

Cao Cao's gaze lingered on Dian Wei's wound, and he smiled slightly. "Even a minor injury shouldn't be taken lightly. My safety depends on you."

Dian Wei was deeply moved, saying, "How dare I not die for my lord!"

Cao Cao nodded and turned his gaze back towards Yique Pass.

His plan was to break through Yique and Taigu Pass and re-enter the Heluo Plain. Besides cutting off Fei Qian's supply lines and employing old tactics, his aim was not to launch a second attack on Tongguan and Chang'an to seize Fei Qian's stronghold, but rather to demonstrate a certain level of "strength" and regain the support of the gentry in Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and Xuzhou...

These were the traditional, powerful clans and local magnates of the old Han dynasty.

From a certain perspective, the small circles surrounding Cao Cao and Fei Qian were 'political groups' representing their respective interests.

Those aristocratic families distributed throughout the various counties of the Han Dynasty, those aristocratic families that started from local land annexation and from families of Confucian scholars, did not possess a complete "class" or "group".

Of course, it is also acceptable to refer to it in a broader sense as a "class" or a "group," since nothing should be absolutized.

If we narrow the definition of "class" or "group" to "the consistency of political interests," then these powerful local clans and aristocratic families do not have any "firm" consistency. Instead, they waver back and forth, like vines that must attach themselves to certain "firm" tree trunks in order to climb upwards.

Cao Cao was well aware of this, so he had to make the gentry of the Central Plains, or at least a portion of them, feel at this moment that his Cao family political group still had the ability to resist Fei Qian...

Moreover, even if we take a step back and assume that Cao Cao now has superior forces and personally leads a large army, if he still cannot take this dilapidated pass...

Even if it's like fighting a rabbit with a tiger, you should still go all out.

……

……

Although Huang Zhong and Zhang Lie intercepted most of Cao Cao's army as they rushed into Guanzhong with the fleeing soldiers, they were unable to take care of the drawbridge when they retreated into the pass with the remaining guards.

The ropes and chains of the suspension bridge were cut by Cao Cao's army. The heavy bridge deck collapsed with a crash, raising a cloud of dust.

Moreover, even if the suspension bridge ropes hadn't been cut, with so many people on the bridge, it would have been impossible to pull them up...

"clang!"

At the city gate, Zhang Lie parried the sword of a Cao army soldier, then kicked him, sending him flying backward and crashing into two other Cao army soldiers who followed him. Taking advantage of the opening, he slipped through the gate. "Quickly, close the city gate!"

His voice was hoarse, yet still powerful.

A dozen or so cavalrymen immediately shouted and struggled to close the city gate, attempting to fasten the sturdy bolts.

The city gate creaked heavily and slowly closed.

Cao's soldiers naturally refused to let the city gate be closed so easily. They not only fought against the cavalrymen with all their might, but also tried to stab and kill the cavalrymen with swords and spears through the cracks in the gate.

Spears pierced through the cracks in the door, and soldiers screamed and fell to the ground from time to time.

The cavalrymen naturally retaliated by using their spears to stab Cao Cao's troops...

For a time, things reached a stalemate.

The city gate became a small battlefield, with both sides fighting fiercely between the two sides through the cracks in the gate.

"Oil!" Zhang Lie, covered in blood and panting, shouted after a few breaths, "Quickly, pour oil outside the city gate!"

"No, kerosene must not be used!" Du Ji came down from the pass and stopped Zhang Lie's order. "Killer's oil should be used inside the pass... Greetings, General Huang... Men, quickly treat the wounds of the two generals..." The physician rushed forward to treat Huang Zhong, Zhang Lie, and the other wounded soldiers.

Huang Zhong was somewhat bewildered. "You..."

Zhang Lie explained it in this way.

"Withdraw from Yique?"

Huang Zhong looked somewhat bewildered, his gaze even becoming unfocused...

Why didn't you tell me earlier?
If only it had been earlier...

But that's how war is; there's no order or peaceful order to it.

At any time, in any place, everything is chaotic and complicated.

Du Ji didn't have time for pleasantries with Zhang and Huang. "Are you two generals still capable of fighting? We need to delay Cao Cao's army now, freeing up manpower to set traps inside the pass!"

"Come here!" Zhang Lie stood up, gesturing for his guards to re-equip him, then slapped Huang Zhong on the shoulder, preventing him from rising. "General... I shouldn't have been so greedy for glory with my night raid, causing you such trouble... After we return, I will apologize to you with a bundle of thorns on my back!"

After saying this, Zhang Lie didn't wait for Huang Zhong's reply and led the remaining guards towards the gate.

"Can the old general ride a horse?" Du Ji asked, looking at the wound on Huang Zhong's leg.

Huang Zhong helped the guard to his feet. "Agreed!"

Du Ji didn't waste any words, "I request that the old general lead the troops to maintain order on the streets within the pass, and that any lawless or rebellious soldiers be executed!"

Huang Zhong cupped his hands in greeting, accepting the order.

Taking advantage of the gap in Cao Cao's army's reorganization, the retreat within the pass proceeded in an orderly manner.

Laborers and soldiers poured hot oil on the pillars of the gate tower and buried tripwires and barbed wire under the main passage.

The wounded soldiers were carefully lifted onto grain carts covered with straw, and the medical officers gradually followed them as they retreated.

Du Ji moved through the bustling crowd, stopping occasionally to give instructions...

"Military Advisor Du, this old man must stay behind to cover the retreat!" An elderly soldier with gray hair suddenly stopped Du Ji. "I am not wounded! I should stay here to cover the retreat!"

First the seriously wounded, then the lightly wounded, followed by the laborers and the elderly and weak, and finally the soldiers covering the rear.

This was the retreat rule set by Du Ji.

Clearly, this old soldier was unwilling to 'follow' this rule.

Du Ji shook his head and said, "Old man, your life is like this; you should retreat with the carriage."

"I don't know, sir!" the old soldier exclaimed excitedly. "During the Yongshou era, there was a rebellion by the Qiang people. I was serving in the army in Longxi... At that time, the commander was the first to flee, leaving the civilians behind... Now, under the command of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, there are only heroes! I am not wounded at the moment, there is absolutely no reason for me to retreat!"

Du Ji was deeply shaken.

He looked at the old soldier.

The old soldier's face was weathered, but his eyes were unwavering.

Du Ji unfastened his sword from his waist and handed it to the old soldier, saying in a deep voice, "In that case, sir, go and assist in the defense of the pass! When Commander Zhang withdraws his troops, you must retreat with him, and under no circumstances should you linger in battle."

The old soldier solemnly accepted the sword, then suddenly whispered, "The military advisor... is different from those officers..."

Du Ji remained silent.

He knew who the old soldier meant by "those officials"...

Those people had never seen the white bones on the border, nor heard the wounded soldiers crying at night.

If they fail to win, they will shout insults and accuse the defending general and soldiers of incompetence.

If they win, it will be attributed to their commentary.

Throughout the Han Dynasty, how many generals and military officers were condemned and cursed to death by those people?
He was more than just General Fubo.
Perhaps after being thoroughly criticized, they will still mock him, saying that he was too weak-willed?
……

……

Meanwhile, a group of Cao Cao's elite soldiers, taking advantage of the chaos of the battle, pushed a gunpowder cart and sneaked to the gate of Yique Pass.

This specially made vehicle was covered in cowhide coated with mud.

While trying their best to avoid the barrage of arrows from the city walls, they pushed along the drawbridge toward the city gate.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the city gate, instead of attempting to rush directly into the city, they quickly unloaded the gunpowder barrels from the vehicles and piled them up tightly against the massive city gate and hinges...

Gunpowder was carefully filled into the gaps in the city gate to ensure maximum destructive power upon explosion.

"Prime Minister, the gunpowder cart is ready!"

A military officer approached Cao Cao to report, his voice filled with suppressed excitement.

"ignition."

Cao Cao spoke calmly, as if he were simply giving an ordinary instruction.

The military academy officer was taken aback. "Prime Minister! There are still our brothers inside the city gate..."

His voice was trembling.

Dian Wei's face immediately tensed up.

The military academy student was immediately alarmed, quickly acknowledged the order, and hurriedly withdrew.

Cao Cao looked up and gazed at Yique Pass.

Above the gate, the tricolor flag and the Han army flag fluttered.

Cao Cao smiled, his eyes filled with the desire for the impending victory.

Cao Cao was well aware that when the gunpowder exploded and the gate was closed, most of the Cao army soldiers around would be killed.

But in war, necessary sacrifices are inevitable...

If we only care about those small sacrifices at all times, how can we achieve anything significant?

Isn't it?
Cao Cao simply forgot, or rather, he was also influenced by the old Han dynasty in Shandong and the Central Plains, forgetting who was bearing the sacrifices.

While there were casualties among members of the Cao and Xiahou clans, the majority of casualties were civilians, soldiers, and vulnerable groups, rather than the decision-makers themselves.

Behind every "sacrifice" number are specific individuals, families, and shattered lives.

At the same time, what exactly is this so-called "big picture"? Is it truly worth paying the price with one's life?

Is the overall situation about safeguarding national sovereignty, or about other, perhaps more debatable, objectives?
Even if sacrifice is deemed necessary, life should never be treated lightly. Every sacrifice should be remembered and respected, not merely regarded as a statistic.

It should never be something that someone casually remarkes...

……

……

Du Ji saw several young soldiers preparing to dismantle the large banner with the character "Han" on it in the council hall inside the pass.

"There's no need to remove it," Du Ji said. "Removing the cavalry flag is... but this flag... let it remain..."

The soldier didn't think much of it, responded, and left the "Han" banner there.

Du Ji looked up at the large banner with the character "Han" on it, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, lost in thought.

The large banner with the Chinese character "汉" (Han) swayed in the wind, sometimes facing north, sometimes south, sometimes left, sometimes right, as if it wanted to say something but couldn't, or like a hot pot on a flagpole, unable to find a place to settle down...

Among the old Han dynasty, there were too many flags that were willing to flutter, wave, point, and make all sorts of noise, but too few that were willing to work quietly and quietly.

The upright and honest people of the Han Dynasty...

Ha ha.

"Report!" A soldier rushed to Du Ji's side. "The civilian laborers within the pass have all been evacuated! General Huang is asking when the other soldiers will evacuate!"

Du Ji's spirits lifted. "Immediately send someone to inform Commander Zhang! Withdraw from Yique in stages!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Du Ji followed the soldiers out of the council hall, leaving only the large banner with the character "Han" fluttering in the wind, beckoning...

……

……

Zhang Lie was currently engaged in fierce combat atop the wall.

His face and body were covered in blood, as if he had been pulled out of a sea of ​​blood.

If it weren't for his excellent armor, Zhang Lie would probably be lying dead on the gate wall by now.

The outer armor was torn and broken, and even the inner armor had many tears.

Moreover, because of wearing double layers of heavy armor, although the protection is improved, the consumption of physical strength and endurance is also extremely high!
Zhang Lie's hands and feet trembled involuntarily; this was a sign of exhaustion...

There was no room to catch one's breath, no time to rest. The only gap to catch one's breath was after cutting down the opponent in front of one and before facing the next enemy!
Swords and spears flashed before my eyes, and blood splattered all around!

Even so, perhaps out of guilt for the failed night raid, or perhaps out of a sense of his own shortcomings, Zhang Lie roared like a wounded beast as he ran across the walls, driving back wave after wave of Cao army soldiers who were swarming in!

At least at this moment, he is fighting hard!

On the city wall, as the cavalry garrison withdrew, the number of guards gradually decreased, and the struggle on the city wall became increasingly fierce, putting more and more pressure on Zhang Lie and others.

Zhang Lie had no idea how many Cao soldiers he had killed or how many waves of Cao army attacks he had repelled; he only knew that the number of soldiers protecting him was dwindling...